The maxillary sinuses sit directly above the upper back teeth. When those teeth are lost, the bone beneath the sinus thins and the sinus tends to expand downward, sometimes leaving too little height to place an implant.
The membrane lining the sinus floor is gently lifted and graft material is placed beneath it. Over the following months that graft becomes bone, providing the height an implant requires. The sinus itself is not entered; the membrane is lifted intact.
Some swelling is expected. Our team will provide written instructions, which typically include avoiding forceful nose blowing, sneezing with your mouth open, and avoiding strenuous exercise and flying for a defined period to protect the healing site.
Where only a small amount of additional height is needed, an approach placed through the implant site itself may be suitable, and the implant can sometimes be placed at the same visit.
Request an appointment and our team will follow up to confirm a time, or call 909.283.3130. An examination is required before a treatment recommendation can be made.
Request AppointmentAfter upper back teeth are lost, the bone beneath the sinus thins and the sinus may expand downward. A sinus lift creates the bone height required to place an implant securely in that area.
No. The membrane lining the sinus floor is lifted intact and graft material is placed underneath it. The sinus cavity is not entered.
Swelling and occasional minor nosebleeds are common for a few days. Our team provides written aftercare, which usually includes avoiding forceful nose blowing, flying, and strenuous activity for a period.
Several months are generally needed for the graft to mature into bone. Where only a small increase in height is required, the implant can sometimes be placed at the same appointment.
A 3D scan measures the bone height available beneath the sinus. That imaging, rather than an assumption, determines whether a sinus lift is recommended.
